Reno NV vs Salt Lake City UT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Reno
63.5%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 203,888 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | 15.4% | Reno + |
| White | 63.5% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 3.2% | 2.7% | Reno + |
| Asian | 7.0% | 5.3% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 20.8% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | $74,925 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $60,713 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 13.4% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $580,126 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 46.8% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 29.5% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Reno, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | 16.1 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Reno, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Reno
22.3 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while reno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,934. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Reno. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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